So, while we don’t like to blow our own trumpet – we think it’s safe to say that our cottages are among the top quality holiday cottages you can expect to find in the heart of Dorset. Why not give us a call – you won’t be disappointed!

According to a survey by English Country Cottages, when looking for a peaceful countryside cottage retreat or a few days in a cosy cottage by the sea, holiday-makers want to combine the best of the traditional with all the comforts of that modern convenience has to offer.

So called ‘moditional’ holiday cottages are becoming increasingly popular with holiday-makers, with features such as unspoilt locations, thatched roofs and a feeling of authenticity ranking highly, as did high quality fixtures and fittings.

As Geoff Cowley, managing director of English Country Cottages, put it, ‘When choosing a holiday home, it seems holidaymakers are looking for the perfect combination of the traditional features of country cottage but with the comfort and style of a modern conversion.’

Add to that friendly, helpful hosts and a welcome pack with the finest local produce, and you’ve got a winning combination!

Scored on accommodation we got 100%, and for holiday overall we came in at 96% (we can’t always guarantee perfect weather!). With averages for the area at 83% and 81% respectively, we’re really pleased. Here’s to keeping up the standard in 2011.

So if you’re looking for the perfect Dorset holiday cottage for your 2011 holiday, look no further. Book with us now

Lulworth Castle is having a six day Halloween extravaganza, with spooky themed fun and activities including “hunt the bat”, ghost stories and spot prizes for those who come in costume! This is all included in the castle’s normal admission price, so there’s no excuse not to go and check it out.

Monkey World is getting into the Halloween spirit by offering free entry to anyone arriving in Halloween fancy dress on Sunday 31st October. Get your witches hat and your broomstick out and go along.

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens is having Halloween Fun Evenings in its enchanted gardens. Go along for a magical evening stroll along candle-lit pathways through the gardens. Open til 8.30pm, with free face painting and prizes for kids in fancy dress.

And Nothe Fort in Weymouth is playing host to ‘Bedlam and Broomsticks, including Ghost Walks, Face Painting, Crafts, Games, Fancy Dress Competition, Apple Dunking, Spell Making and Magic Potions. Wanda Weatherwax the Witch will be guiding the brave through the Haunted Tunnel Walk, and protecting them from ‘The Undertaker’.

Don’t miss out – get your fancy dress on and join the fun.

The point of farmers’ markets is to enable local producers to sell their produce directly to the public, and to allow the public to pick up reasonably priced, fresher-than-fresh local produce. What’s available will vary according to season and location, but you can normally find a good selection of delicious fresh fruit, veg, meat, eggs and dairy products, bread and cakes, and jams and chutneys.

And all of it will have been caught, bred, grown, made, brewed, baked or pickled by the very folks you’re buying from. Good for the stomach, good for the soul.

Local farmers’ markets include: Poole (every Thursday between 9am and 2pm in Falkland Square Poole); Blandford (the second Friday of each month, in the Marketplace, Blandford Forum), Wareham and Sturminster Newton. So if you’re thinking of visiting our holiday cottages in Wimborne; don’t forget to check out the local farmers’ markets for the best local seasonal produce.

From Friday 29th to Sunday 31st October, Poole will play host to a wealth of literary talent and a varied programme of events, from the serious to the not-so-serious, mixing big-name authors and poets alongside some up-and-coming talent.

There is a chance to meet authors including former Children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo and current Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, as well as workshops, discussions and events. Visit www.poolelitfest.com to find out more.

Alongside lots of fabulous taste sensations, there is lots of information available from people who really care about food, where it comes from and how it is produced and presented – with particular emphasis on locally sourced and sustainably produced foods.

Visiting Wimborne during the festival weekend is a must for anyone who really gets a kick out of food, with lots of things on offer to tempt your tastebuds, as well as lots of local events happening throughout Wimborne, including the Food Market Tent, Chef’s showcase, book signings, live music, street performers and the country craft demonstration area.

Featuring fun and entertainment for all ages, the County Show includes the Dancing Diggers (formation digger dancing), Titan the Robot, falconry displays, a funfair, ferret racing – to name but a few of the highlights. Packed with over 450 trade stands, there’s lots to interest the culinary expert and the casual food-lover alike; as well as the green-fingered amongst us. Kids will be fascinated by the animals, from miniature ponies to the cuddly rabbits.

People travel from miles away to visit Dorset County Show, and Sunnylands farm is ideally placed to offer accommodation for visitors, in a nice secluded location for a bit of peace and quiet at the end of a hectic day.

Find out more: www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

The 4 star rating was awarded to our self catering cottages for ‘excellent standards throughout’, while the gold award is described by Enjoy England as being for ‘establishments delivering a standard of service over and above their rating’. Not many places get this extra award, and we’re very proud to say we have it.